Troops rescue 48 kidnap victims as terrorists flee after gun battle in Zamfara

By Zagazola Makama

Troops of Joint Task Force North-West, Operation FANSAN YAMMA, have rescued 48 kidnapped victims following a swift response to a terrorist attack on Magami village in Kaura Namoda Local Government Area of Zamfara State.

Sources told Zagazola Makama that the operation was launched in the early hours of July 26 after troops of Sector 2 received a distress call reporting that a large group of terrorists riding on about 40 motorcycles had invaded the community.

The terrorists were said to have rounded up dozens of residents with the intention of taking them into the forest, while another group remained on the outskirts of the village guarding the motorcycles.

Acting promptly on the intelligence, troops mobilised to the scene and engaged the terrorists in a fierce gun battle.

The superior firepower of the troops forced the attackers to abandon the abducted victims and flee into the surrounding bush, leading to the successful rescue of all 48 kidnapped civilians.

Sources said one civilian was killed during the attack, while two others sustained gunshot injuries. The injured victims were evacuated to the General Hospital, Kaura Namoda, where they are currently receiving treatment.

Following the rescue, troops carried out aggressive patrols to dominate the area and prevent any further attacks by the fleeing terrorists.

Military authorities commended the gallantry and professionalism displayed by the troops during the operation, describing the rescue as another demonstration of Operation FANSAN YAMMA’s commitment to protecting communities across the North-West.

The Theatre Command also urged residents to continue providing timely and credible intelligence to security agencies to sustain ongoing operations against terrorist groups in the region.